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Long Song Tuesday #7

Today’s lucky number 7 edition of Long Song Tuesday was selected based on popular demand. The Genesis Suppers Ready post from a couple of weeks ago was extremely popular and provided an indication that there were a lot of Prog Rock fans reading this Blog. In addition, I received an email from a very nice lady named Sara asking me to post more Prog Rock. Sara, this post is for you and all of the other Prog Rock fans. Thanks for the feedback!

Our long song today is the title track from the first Prog Rock album that I ever purchased…Tarkus from the amazing Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. It was released in 1971, had an amazing cover (the CD version does not do it justice), and an amazing title track that took up the whole first side of the record (twenty minutes of greatness). Based on an interview with Keith Emerson in Issue 17 of Classic Rock Presents Prog, Keith composed the entire piece of music with some collaboration from Carl Palmer on the percussion elements. As was normal for the group, Greg Lake added the lyrics. At the time the anti-war lyrics meant a lot to me as an 18-year-old with the Vietnam War still in progress.

Clear the battlefield and let me see, all the profits from our victory You talk of freedom, starving children fall, are you deaf when you hear the seasons call

Come to think of it they still have a lot of meaning for me.

I hope you enjoy this amazing piece of music. As always let me know what you think.

I can’t end this post without paying a tribute to “The Voice”, also known as Greg Lake. He was, and still is, one of my favorite singers. This video from the California Jam in 1974 highlights his talent and proves once and for all that it is possible to chew gum, play the guitar, and sing like an angel all at the same time. Enjoy!